Croatia and Bosnia confront summer border congestion and human‑smuggling crackdown

Heavy passenger traffic on several Bosnia‑Herzegovina–Croatia border crossings has created long vehicle queues, especially on the Gabela Polje exit, as the tourist season begins. Officials warned of possible delays due to the EU Entry/Exit System and urged travelers to check crossing conditions.

A mixed Croatian‑Bosnian commission has temporarily opened two additional crossings, Dvorine‑Subašići and Aržano Pazar‑Vinica, for 24‑hour passenger traffic for three months. The move aims to ease pressure on existing checkpoints and supports the reconstruction of the Posušje‑Vir‑Vinica‑Aržano road, a key link between western Herzegovina and the Adriatic coast.

Croatian police in the Brod‑Posavina region arrested five people suspected of smuggling migrants from Serbia or Bosnia into Croatia. The detained individuals, including Ukrainian, Afghan and Romanian nationals, were charged with illegal entry and facilitating transport of foreign nationals across the border, highlighting ongoing security concerns alongside the traffic issues.